Machine for applying transfer-stamps.



O. G. RICHARDSON.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFER STAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

1 ,Q88AQ,

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

flg'g U35 Q06 0 I may; 9 e) 5 G. G. RICHARDSON.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFER STAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB 9, 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 191%.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

O. G. RICHARDSON.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFER STAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9, 1911.

jLfiSfiAUU Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.9, 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

SHEETS-SHEET 4.

O. G. RICHARDSON.

MACHINE FOE APPLYING TRANSFER STAMP S.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.9, 1911. LQEBAQQO Patented Feb.10,1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. RICHARDSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFER-STAMPS. I

aoseaoo.

'of applying transfer stamps commonly known as decalcomania stamps topieces of fabric or such articles as it is desired to mark with saidstamps.

While the machine disclosed herein is capable of use for marking acontinuous web of fabric, it is also intended to be used I forautomatically stamping separate articles,

such as pieces of underclothing, hosiery, neckties or any other articlesto which said stamps may be applied. In its general features itcomprises transfer mechanism embracing cooperating pressing members, oneof which is heated to effect the transfer of the stamps to the fabricand devices for presenting a series of transfer stamps inproperrelationship to the articles to be marked and to the transfer mechanismin order to effect the purpose of the machine,

In the drawings I have illustrated a pre ferred form of embodying theprinciples of this invention. p

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete machine readyfor service. Fig. 2 is a front end elevation thereof as viewed from theposition where the operator stands to feed the articles into themachine. Fig. 3 is a side elevation principally in central section on anenlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the machine viewed fromthe end opposite from the feed-in end, that is viewed from the left ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the main operating lever and itsactuating cam. Fig. 6 is a plan View showing part of the tape feedingand the plunger actuating mechanism. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are. detail viewsin elevation showing the actuating mechanism for lifting the lowerp'resser plate or transfer member and the adjustment therefor. Fig. 10is a detail View showing the drive for the tape feed rolls.

According to the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, themachine comprises, generally speaking, a feed apron which carries thearticles to be stamped into proper relationship between the two presseror transfer members and mechanism for successively presenting in properrelation- Speciflcation of matters Iatent.

Application filed February 9, 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

serial No. 607,647.

sh1p to the series of articles to be stamped, a series of transferstamps so that when the pressers are actuated the heat of one presserserves to transfer the stam to a predetermined portion of the articlepresented. To accomplish the proper evolutions there are generallyspeaking, three sets of-mechanlsm which may be termed respectively thestamp feedmg mechanism, the mechanism for actuating the transfer membersand the mechanism or feeding the articles to the transfer mechanism. Inthe present embodiment of the invention these three sets of mechanismare all actuated and controlled from a single main actuating lever. Inpractice I employ a power shaft a which by means of gears a, a serves todrive the main actuating shaft a of the machine. On this main actuatingshaft is fixed a properly shaped cam a which engages a bowl a carried bythe main actuating lever a" from which is derived all the movements ofthe machine.

I will first describe in detail the mechanism employed for feeding the,garment or other articles in proper relationship to the stamps to beapplied and to the transfer mechanism, according to the presentembodiment of the invention. This feeding mechanism as shown comprisesan endless apron or belt I) passing over rollers ordrums b, 6 arrangedat front and rear of the machine. Said rollers may be provided withshort spurs or projections b engaging the apron to prevent slippingbetween the apron and these rollers. The apron derives its movement,which in this case is intermittent, from a train of mechanism whichcomprises a link 5 pivotally connected with a ratchet lever b whichcarries a pawl b in position to engage and intermittently actuate aratchet wheel 72 on the shaft 6 which shaft carries a spur gear I)meshing with a spur gear 6 on the shaft of the feed roll b the link I)being pivotally connected with a lever a. from which it derives itsmovement. In order to vary the throw of the ratchet a sector-shaped hoodor shield I) is adjustably mounted on the shaft 1), the adjustment beingmade by means of the slotted arm or extension I) and the fastening screw6, so as to prevent the pawl from engaging the ratchet for as much asthe arc of movement of the ratchet as may be desired to give thenecessary are of rotation to the shaft 71 It will be understood thatwhen the main lever a descends the ratchet pawl b is retracted and thatwhen the lever a rises the pawl 6 causes a clockwise rotation, (Figs. 1and 3) of the ratchet and its shaft 6 and consequently a movement of theapron from right to left, the extent of which is dependent upon the arcof rotation imparted to said shaft 6 I will now describe the details ofmechw nism for actuating the bed plate in cases where it is desired tohave the bed plate move. The bed plate 0 in this case is provided with ayielding cushion a of felt or other yielding material and is supportedon vertical slide rods 0 which pass through bearings 0 formed on thesides of the frame of the machine. The reciprocating vertical movementis imparted by means of a link 0 whose upper end is pivotally connectedto the main lever a and whose lower end is connected with a lever cwhich is secured to a rock shaft 0. To the rock shaft 0 is arranged apair of levers 0 which are pivotally connected to the cooperating leversc, which said levers c are plvotally connected with the bed plate 0. Thelevers 0 0 form toggle levers the straightening of which by the rotationof the rockshaft 0 serves to lift the bed plate into operative positionbeneath the belt or apron b, while the flexing of these toggle levers bythe reverse movement of the rock shaft 0 serves to drop said bed plateto inoperative position. In order to adjust the traverse of the bedplate so as to accommodate it to articles of different thicknesses therock shaft 0 has its opposite ends mounted in bearings formed invertically adjustable slides or brackets a", best shown in Fig. 7 Theseadjustable slides are of angular shape, the horizontal portion beingpassed through a slot 0 in the rigid side frame, while the upward extension c" of the slide 0 is provided with a slot to receive anadjusting screw 0 by which it is adjustably clamped when set to thedesired position. I prefer to provide a special adjusting means forpositioning these slides 0 which comprises a rock shaft 0 carrying nearits opposite ends lifting cams 0 which lie directly beneath a downwardinside extension or'boss 0 formed at the lower inside portion of theslide 0 so that by therocki ng of the shaft 0 both slides 0 aresimultaneously raised. and lowered to the proper position, the adjustingshaft 0 being locked when properly set by means of a slotted plate 0 anda binding screw 0. The plate is formed with a handle 0 by which toconveniently rock the shaft 0 When the proper adjustment of the fulcrumslides 0 has been made as just described, the slides are firmly securedin position by means of set screw 0 I will now describe the details ofmechanism illustrated by which the upper presser member, which in thiscase is the heated presser, is actuated. This presser member is shown inthe form of a flat plate 03 which may be heated electrically or in anywell known, manner, and is supported by a vertical slide rod (2' mountedin upper and lower bearings d carried by a transversely adjustable frame(i (Fig. 2). This frame (Z is made adjustable across the machine bymounting it upon a cross bar d" which passes through a pair of splithubs d which are formed on the frame d'"'. These split hubs are securelyclamped upon the cross bar (5 by means of set screws d while theaccidental turning or rotation on the bar d is prevented by splininghubs or collars d to the cross bar. As shown in Fig. 3 a lifting collard is pinned to the slide rod 03, which said collar is provided on itsfront and rear faces with downward projections or ears (Z which passbetween the forks (Z of the forked lifting or actuating lever (PLJ whichlever is secured to and actuated by the rock shaft 03. The object of thedownwardly projecting ears is to prevent any rotative or torsionalmovement of the lifting rod 03. The rock shaft (i by which the liftingand dropping of the presser d is controlled, is actuated by means of alever (Z secured thereon, which said lever a?" is connected by means ofthe link J with the main lever a", so that when'the lever a descends'therock shaft 03 rotates clockwise to allow the presser d to descend uponthe belt into operative position, while the raising of the lever ofcauses the presser (Z through'the intermediate mechanism to be liftedaway from the feed belt and its cooperating presser member. It will beunderstood that the shaft d. is mounted in arms or brackets dproject-ing horizontally from the fixed uprights (Z of the machineframe. 7 The forked lever al is adjustable longitudinally of the shaft(Z by means of the clamping screw d, which serves to clamp its split hubd securely to the shaft, while permitting its adjustment along said rockshaft to conform to the transverse adjustment of the frame (i I will nowdescribe the mechanism for feeding the tape which carries the transferstamps. The tape is wound in a coil or roll 6 upon an axis or rod 6which rests loosely around inclined brackets or arms 6 project ing fromthe frame of the machine and is kept from moving downward on saidbrackets by means of the idler roll a which is carried in open bearingsformed in said bracket 6 in a position immediately below the tape rollso as to form a peripheral contact and support for said tape roll. Thecooperating 12 roll 6 is mounted beneath the roll e in fixed bearings soas to form a support for the roll e As the tape or strip of transferstamps is fed forward by the feeding means to be described itpasses'betweenthe roll a and the presser tape roll e and also betweenthe rolls 0 and e by which it is pinched. The uncoiling of the tape fromthe roll diminishes the diameter of theroll of tape, but as itssupporting rod 6' is free to slide down the inclined bracket 6 thepressure of the tape roll will always rest against the delivery roll 6by reason of avity. From the lowermost point of the roll e? the tapepasses toward the rear of the machine directly above the travel apron band in the path of the two reciprocating presser members c and d. To therear of the plane of presser members is mounted a positively driven feedroll a around which the ta )e passes and against which it is pressed ymeans of the cooperating idler roll 6 whose journal boxes 0 are springpressed to give the proper pressure or pinch between these two rolls.The feed roll a has on one end of its shaft a pinion e meshing with theintermediate pinion e which is driven b means of the large spur gear awhose shaft is rotatedv at a variable speed by means of the cone 6 andbelt 0 and the cooperating cone c in the manner of the usual cone drive.The belt 6 is moved longitudinally of the cone pulleys by means of theshi per til) 6 which is adjustable transversely o the machine by meansof the adjusting screw 0 and is held in position by the supporting rod 0The shaft of upper cone pulley is rotated by means of the ratchet wheela secured to one end thereof, which ratchet wheel is intermittentlydriven by means of an oscillating lever- 6 upon which is mounted thepawl e The ratchet arm e is actuated by means of a pivotal link e"having adjustable connectionwith the rocking lever which is secured tothe rock shaft a carried by the adjustable frame 03*. The rock shaft 6is actuated by means of an arm or lever 6 which has a slot (Fig. 6) forreceiving a pin e projecting from one side of the forked lever al sothat as the forked lever (Z is oscillated by the movement of this rockshaft (Z motion is imparted to the lever e by the slot and pinconnection just described to oscillate the short rock shaft e Hence itwill be seen that both the tape feeding mechanism and the mechanism bywhich the upper presser is actuated derive their motion from and arecontrolled by the link d connected with the main lever a. It Will beunderstood,however, that while the descendin movement of the lever a,serves to move t e presser (1 into operative position, the pawl lever 6is being retracted and is not actuating the ratchet which drives thetape feeding rolls; hence the tape is idling while the presser isdescending and does not begin to feed until the presscr lifts away fromit. A hood 6 similar to the hood 6 may be employed both to regulate thearc of rotation of the ratchet wheel and to,render the pawl inoperativedurmg the first part of this forward or feeding movement, so that thepresser (Z may be raised entirely clear from contact with the tapebefore the feeding movement of the tape begins. The tape is fed out ofthe machine after having left the feed rollers a, e by passing over an.

obliquely arranged guide bar or deflector c and between the draftrollers 0 c the lower end of which is driven by the belt 6" from thepulley 6 carried by the shaft of the drum or roll Z). J

It will be understood that the main lever a is lifted positively by thecam but that the weight of the parts, particularly of the heavy presser(Z is suflicient to cause its descent though the descent may beaccelerated by additional weight on the lever a or otherwise. If theoperator desires to arrest or prevent the movement of the transfermechanism, this may be accomplished by swinging a pivoted latch fmounted on the end frame of the machine, into position beneath the outerend of the main lever a. To facilitate this operation from either end ofthe machine, I provide a rock shaft f extending from the front to therear of the machine and ,provided at its ends with levers or handles f fThe handle f carries a link 7 which engages the latch f so as to controlits movement, as best shown in Fig. 2. The adjustable gage 0 consistingof a transverse bar mounted on adjustable supports 0 serves as a guidein properly placing articles to be stamped on the feed apron.

What I claim is 1. A machine for aliixing transfer stamps embracing inits construction a heated presser or transfer member, means forpresenting to the presser the fabric to be stamped and means forpresenting in succession in proper relationship to the fabric and to thepresser a plurality of transfer stamps, substantially as described.

2. A machine for affixing transfer stamps embracing in its constructiontransfer mechanism including a heated member and means for presenting tosaid transfer mechanism successively appropriate portions of the fabricto be stamped and the transfer stamps themselves in proper relation toeach other, and actuating means for pressing the fabric and the stamptogether.

3. In a machine for affixing transfer stamps the combination with aheated trans fer mechanism of means for intermittently feeding thefabric to be stamped intoposition opposite the transfer mechanism andmeans for successively feeding a series of stamps to predeterminedportions of the fabric, and means for actuating the transfer mechanismto press the fabric and the stamp together, substantially as described.

4. A stamp transferring machine embracing in its construction two 0posed presser members, means for feeding t e fabric to be stampedbetween said presser members, stamp feeding mechanism for feeding thestamps successively into position a ainst the fabric between the pressermem ers, and means for moving one presser member against the other topress the interposed stamp and portion of the fabric together,substantially as described.

5. In a stamp transferring machine the combination of the opposedpresser members one of which is heated, an apron arranged to travelbetween said presser members and convey the fabric to be stamped intoproper relation thereto, means for positioning the stamps in successionupon portions of the fabric to be subjected to the presser, and meansfor moving one presser member against the other in order to impress thestamp upon the fabric, substantially as described.

6. In a stamp transferring machine the combination of the travelingapron for feeding the fabric to be stamped, the reciprocating heatedpresser movable toward and away from the apron, a continuousstampbearing tape and means for intermittently feeding said tape inorder to bring'the stamps thereon successively against predeterminedportions of the fabric as the fabric is fed into position opposite theheated presser, substantially as described;

I 7. In a stamp transferring machine the combination of stamp feedingmechanism,

mechanism for feeding the fabric, a presser member actuating mechanismtherefor, a

main driving shaft, a main actuating member controlling the tape feedingmeans, the fabric feeding means and the presser mechanism and means forarresting said main actuating element in order to renderthe respectivemechanism inoperatlve when desired, substantially as described.

8. In a stamp transferring machine the combination of the intermittentlymovable apron,th-e intermittently reciprocated presser members, one ofwhich is heated, the intermittently actuated tape feeding mechanism, themain actuating lever having suitable connections with the tape feedingmechanism, the presser members and the apron to actuate the same in apredetermined order, substantially as described.

9. In a stamp transferring machine the combination with the travelingapron adapted to receive and carry forward pieces of fabric to bestamped, a gage arranged adjacent to said apron to form a guide forpositioning the fabric on the apron, a tape roll support and feedmechanism for intermittently unwinding the tape from said roll andfeeding it above said apron, a heated presser and means for pressing theapron the superimposed fabric and the tape on the heated presser,substantially as described.

10. In a transferringmachine the combination with the opposed pressermembers, means including an apron for feeding the fabric to be stampedand means for feeding the tape to be transferred between said pressermembers, actuating members for forcing said presser members together,said actuating members being ad ustable in order to vary their positionwith relation to the apron, substantially as described.

11. In a stamp transferring machine the combination of fabric feedingmechanism stamp feeding mechanism and of opposed presser members, one ofwhich is heated, means for adjustably supporting said presser members,and the actuating mechanism for pressing one member against the other,said actuating mechanism being provided with adjustable connections torender them operative in'the different positions of adjustment to whichpresser members may be adjusted.

12. In a stamp transferring machine the combination of a had providedwith a cushion surface, a heated presser, means for reciprocatingsaidpresser toward and away from said bed, an apron, means for causing saidapron to travel intermittently between the presser and the bed, feedingmechanism for feeding a stamp carrying tape between said presser and bedabove the apron, said feeding mechanism being engaged with the mechanismof the reciprocating presser to render the same inoperative when thepresser rests upon the apron during the pressing and to cause the sameto impart a step by step feed to the tape while the presser is motion,substantially as described.

13. A stamp transferring machine embracing in combination theautomatically movable heated "presser, a tape feeding mechanism, forintermittently feeding a stamp carrying tape across the face of saidpresser, presser actuating mechanism, connections for coiirdinating themovement of said presser and of said tape feeding mechanism, andadjusting means by which the feed of said tapemay be varied withoutdisturbing the relationship between the tape feeding mechanism and thepresser, substantially as described.

In witness whereof, Iv have subscribed the above specification.

CHARLES G. RICHARDSON.

In the presence of ANNIE BEATRICE BURKE, BLANCHE L. NORTON.

